Dear readers, Al-Qaeda (AQ) and its counterparts openly claim responsibility for 9/11, a terrorist attack which took thousands of innocent lives. The US went to Afghanistan to eliminate AQ the terror network who attacked us on our own soil and the Taliban who gave them safe haven to plan global terrorism. President Obama warned terrorists and assured allies that we will stay in Afghanistan until AQ and Taliban are defeated and Afghan forces are capable of protecting their nation. Is it not equally important, if Pakistans are to be secure, that the Taliban in Afghanistan are stopped from crossing the border to terrorize Pakistan? The most progress against terrorism is made when the Pakistan, Afghan, US and NATO forces cooperate for the common good to eliminate terrorism and keep their citizens safe.
In accordance with an agreement with the Afghan Government, when terrorism is defeated and Afghan security forces are completely trained, US and NATO forces will begin withdrawing from Afghanistan and unless asked to stay longer, will be completely out of Afghanistan by 2014. Our phased withdrawal from Iraq provides an excellent example of our commitment to a successful phased withdrawal from Afghanistan. And as with Iraq, our responsible drawdown from Afghanistan will not be the end of our support to the Afghan government and people, but the beginning of a new phase in our relationship with that country. US commitment will be long standing so that we maintain the trust built with the Afghans who do not want to be left at the mercy of Talibans atrocities. Also, we do not want history to repeat itself as was the case in Afghanistan after Soviet Unions defeat when our complete withdrawal left a power vacuum in the country that had no security or political stability. And so, our dedication to help Afghans rebuild defense, health, infrastructure, and education remains intact. Defense Secretary Gates assured that, We're not just going to throw these guys (Afghan security officials) in the swimming pool and walk away.
CDR Speaks,
DET, United States Central Command
U.S. Central Command